The Contract Management Specialist will lead and support all contract administration functions for WLRC. This includes managing contracts related to construction and rehabilitation works for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) catchments and watershed management, rangeland restoration, small-scale infrastructure, and related engineering activities.

The position ensures full compliance with WLRC policies, Ethiopian procurement laws, donor guidelines, and applicable technical standards. The Specialist provides technical oversight, manages contractual risks, monitors contractor performance, and ensures effective coordination among contractors, consultants, government counterparts, and the WLRC technical team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work closely with the BRIGHT Project Management Coordination Unit (PMCU), WLRC management, and staff.

• Coordinate with the Ministry’s PMU Coordinator and relevant stakeholders.

• Review and become familiar with BRIGHT project legal and implementation documents.

• Ensure adherence to WLRC procurement manuals, region-specific implementation plans, and related guidelines by Regional Water Bureaus and Town Water Supply and Sanitation Projects.

• Review and provide inputs on standard procurement documents to ensure appropriate use and continuous improvement.

• Review procurement manuals, prepare capacity-building training materials, and provide formal and on-the-job training to procurement staff at regional and town levels.

• Assess the adequacy and qualifications of procurement staff and recommend corrective actions in collaboration with WLRC.

• Review bidding documents, bid evaluation reports, and contract documents, and provide no-objection decisions in line with project thresholds.

• Conduct field visits to project intervention areas to assess procurement performance and reporting quality.

• Ensure procurement plans are regularly updated and properly maintained.

• Contribute procurement-related inputs to BRIGHT quarterly progress reports.

• Ensure integration of procurement data into the project’s monitoring and evaluation system.

• Support independent auditors, donors, and procurement reviewers during procurement assessments and reviews.

• Compile quality-assured procurement plans.

• Develop and maintain procurement process tracking, contract status tracking, and reporting systems.

• Organize, support, and implement procurement activities within WLRC in compliance with applicable procurement procedures.

• Perform any other related duties as assigned by WLRC and BRIGHT Project Management.

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

• MSc degree or higher in civil, Water or Irrigation Engineering, and related field.

• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience, including at least three (3) years in engineering infrastructure procurement.

• Proven experience in procurement analysis and development of manuals and strategies.

• Strong familiarity with international donor procurement guidelines (e.g., EU, USAID, World Bank).

• Demonstrated capacity to deliver training and communicate complex procurement concepts effectively.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of contract administration, engineering documentation, and field implementation.

• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and technical review skills.

• Strong communication, documentation, and report-writing abilities.

• Proficiency in MS Office applications; familiarity with MS Project is an advantage.

Competencies

• High level of integrity and attention to detail.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Strong teamwork, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Strong problem-analysis and solution-oriented mindset.

How To Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a single PDF file containing a cover letter and an updated CV. 

Applications should be sent to: jobs@wlrc-eth.org 

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.